Noel Gallagher put in a surprise appearance at a new venue launch that benefited British dock workers in London Friday night, and filled the press in on the new Oasis album currently under construction.

Gallagher played an acoustic set of Oasis hits, then later in the evening joined The Who's Pete Townsend and Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Cradock for a 10-minute version of The Who's "Magic Bus." Other artists on the bill included Ocean Colour Scene and the Boo Radleys. Guests in the audience included Prodigy's Leeroy Thornhill, Kate Moss, Bob Geldof and Noel's Oasis-mate and brother Liam, sans his currently estranged wife, Patsy Kensit.

The show was part of a week of festivities celebrating the city's new Sound Republic music hall in Leicester Square. Puff Daddy opened the venue last Thursday.

While he was at it, Gallagher gave Radio One's The Net the full scoop on the band's next album. Noel told the service that he had been writing and recording at

a studio outside London. He revealed that nine songs had already been demoed but they still had another 20 to go.

He added that although the band had originally planned to take a year off, they have been "seriously bored" and would likely cut their vacation time down to nine months, and hope to have the album out next fall.